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5 Tips For a Healthier Family In 2020

Want to make sure your family starts the new year on a healthy note? Read on to get some great tips from Juice Plus+ nutritionist and health consultant Sue Oldreive. With a little motivation to make simple changes, you’ll get on track to make your healthy habits stick.

Maintaining a healthy family lifestyle is a daily endeavor. You make choices all day, every day that impact your health, not only in the present but for the long-term. What’s great is, when you begin teaching your kids when they’re young, it helps the everyday choices become easier, setting the stage for the future.

Oldreive described instilling healthy habits in a relatable way: “We all want our children to still have their own teeth when they are grandparents right? So, we teach them to clean their teeth, right from when they have their first tooth. And we model that behavior for them too.” She went on to draw a comparison, saying, “In the same way, we want our children to still have their health when they are grandparents. So, it is really important that we help them learn about healthy eating by introducing them to a wide range of foods and sharing healthy options with them as they grow. Habits formed early in life will last a lifetime, so make them good ones!”

Dip, Don’t Dive. Making big, sudden changes, like completely different dietary patterns, will generally set you up to hate what you’re doing/eating and thus fail, so set small goals. This is especially true when kids are involved. So, for example, start with setting weekly limits for their favorite indulgences, like fried foods or desserts.

Level Up. Eat one more portion of fruit or vegetables per day. Mini bell peppers are a great option. Slice them up and serve plain or add hummus or yogurt dip. Already getting your five a day? You can still level up by making sure there’s a variety of colors on your family’s plate throughout the day.

Get Your Head in the Game. Think strategically about where you can make changes throughout the day. If you want to reduce the amount you’re eating, use a smaller plate or bowl. Leave the salt shaker off the table and try different herbs or spices instead. Switch to whole-grain versions of rice, pasta, and bread to increase the fiber in your diet.

Savor the Flavor. Slow down when you’re eating. It’s good for digestion, allows you to enjoy the flavors, and can help you better recognize your body’s signals for when you’ve eaten enough. Kids love to eat in front of the TV, so aim to keep that to a minimum if you aren’t already.

Shop on a Full Belly. Studies show that shopping on an empty stomach leads to unhealthy choices. To combat this, keep a stash of healthy snacks in your car, like trail mix or protein bars.

Start these healthy habits early, and they’ll pay off in the long run. Find more resources for healthy families on the Healthy Starts for Families page and, if you aren’t already, learn how to get free Juice Plus+ chewables for your kids through our Family Health Study.